E2-E3/CFA/NGN Architecture & IP TAX Rev date: 01-04-2011

E2-E3: CONSUMER FIXED ACCESS

CHAPTER-10
NGN ARCHITECTURE & IP TAX
(Date of Creation:01-04-2011)

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NGN Architecture & IPTAX

Introduction
Telecommunication industry is changing at a rapid pace. This change in the industry is
basically driven by demand of new services from subscriber's side and urge to reduce
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) and OPEX (Operational Expenditure) from carrier side.
Today All most all telecommunication giants are installing and maintaining at least three
kinds of basic Network.

PSTN: Public Switch Telephone Network was basically developed and engineered for
giving voice connectivity to the wire line subscribers. The network consists of Local
exchange/RSU as a part of Access Network and TAXs as a part of core Network.
Already huge amount of money has been invested in PSTN setup. Because of tough
competition from Mobile & Voice over IP, it is becoming white elephant day by day for
the operators. Another fact about PSTN is that most of its equipment are going to exhaust
their lives in coming years.

PLMN: (Public Land Mobile Network): PLMN has been developed to provide voice
services for wireless subscribers. Recent times SMS has emerged as killer application for
mobile. PLMN includes BTS/BSC as access network and MSC as a core Network.

Data Network: This network was basically designed for accessing remote files and
servers for defense people and universities but now a days nobody can think of living
with data network services. The basic and most popular application of data networks is
Internet. Other applications include E-commerce, online banking, online gaming, E-
shopping, IPTV Video on demand and many more. Data network is an assembly of
routers, which are responsible for forwarding information from one end to other.

The interesting fact about the current generation is that these networks have been
developed during different time zones. Thats why they are separate network
infrastructure. There is no sharing of infrastructure among them. However some
gateways are available for inter network communication.

Another disadvantage of the current scenario is that all the three networks are having
their own service platforms in other words services are tightly coupled with their
networks because of that carrier or operators have to introduce service separately for
separate networks.

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Because all the three networks are having separate access transport and switching
network service provider has to invest in all the three networks separately. Hence
CAPEX increases on the other hand for maintenance of three different networks
operational cost also increases. Manpower of the company has to have knowledge of
multiple technologies.

NGN Vision
Next Generation Network is the framework where operator will have a common transport
network based on Internet Protocol for providing all kinds of telecommunication services.
Hence operators will have to install and maintain only a single network which will reduce
its CAPEX and OPEX significantly. Moreover service provisioning will become easier
because of the introduction of new and intelligent servers. NGN is able to provide
Vendor independence because of the standard protocols it uses for interaction with
network elements.

NGN Definition
A Next Generation Network (NGN) is a packet-based network able to provide
Telecommunication Services to users and able to make use of multiple broadband, QoS-
enabled transport technologies and in which service-related functions are independent of
the underlying transport-related technologies. It enables unfettered access for users to
networks and to competing service providers and services of their choice. It supports
generalised mobility which will allow consistent and ubiquitous provision of services to
users.

[ITU-T Recommendation Y.2001 (12/2004) - General overview of NGN]

In the above definition all the terms are self explanatory except Generalised mobility.
Generalised mobility:
At present subscribers are enjoying terminal mobility where network identification
system is available in the form of SIM and the same is inserted in the terminal. If user is
having that terminal he will be mobile with the identity of the SIM.
In NGN subscriber can have Generalised mobility. Here, each individual will have its
own network identity in the form of "SIPURL: xyz @ domain name.com". Users have to
make registration from his devices against the given URL. Registrar servers of the
company will maintain bindings with URL and physical location of registered devices.
Users can register for more than one device at a time. With this subscribers need not to
depend upon specific terminal. They can login with any device enabled with required
protocols (SIP) and call will come to that device.

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PSTN versus NGN:

As shown in above figure PSTN Switch consists of interface, Switching and call
control. All the functional entities are shown in one box that means they are interacting
with each other using proprietary protocol. Where as in NGN model entities are
interacting using standard protocols.
In PSTN each node should have call control separately whereas NGN may have
centralised call control
PSTN is dedicated network for providing voice services to the subscribers whereas
NGN is developing with the idea of carrying all kind of traffic over it.
PSTN is working on circuit switched principle whereas NGN is working on Packet
switching.
PSTN provides excellent quality of voice and it is tested in all conditions whereas
NGN will provide good quality of voice and it is to be tested in adverse network
conditions.
In PSTN service integration is very difficult and because of vendor dependent
technologies, it is difficult to introduce services easily. Whereas NGN shall be able
to provide separate service platform for introduction of services without depending
upon underlying network related technologies.

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NGN Architecture
NGN is a layered architecture consisting of transport, access, control and application
layer. It is important to note that all the layers are independent from each other. Change
in one layer should not affect other layers.

Access Layer:
Access Layers is responsible for direct subscriber attachment function. NGN can support
all kind of existing access as well as upcoming access. NGN is capable of processing
traffic originated from PSTN, GSM, CDMA, xDSL, WiMAX or any other access
system. Depending upon the type of access, protocol conversion and/or media conversion
may be required at the NGN Gateways.

Access Layer consists of Gateways. Example of getaways is Media Gateway, Access

gateway. Signalling gateway etc. Media gateway terminates media, coming from
PSTN/PLMN in E1 / STM. Here, it is responsible for packetisation of media under the
instruction of control layer. After packetisation of information it throws packets to the
transport Network. Access gateway is nearer to subscriber. Subscriber can directly be
terminated in Access Gateway. All the required configuration of such subscribers should
be done at control layer. Access Gateway and Media Gateways are responsible for
carriage of Media whereas Signalling gateway is carrying signalling generated by PSTN
and informs Control Layer about the signalling in required format.

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Fig: NGN Architecture

Transport Layer
Transport Layer of NGN is based on IP (Internet Protocol). It can utilize the advantage of
MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching). Transport Layer forms the core of the Network.
It basically consists of Routers, which are responsible for carrying traffic originated by
access layer. As the same core network is going to be used for all kinds of subscribers
enjoying different kind of real time and non real time services, it should be able to make
use of band width policies and Qos policies. Operator has to think of managed Network
for its subscribers. It is basically an assembly of routers connected with optical network.
Traffic coming from gateways is properly routed by those routers.

Control Layer
It is responsible of call setup, routing and charging policies and other controls in NGN
environment. It consists of call servers where all information of the network resides.
These call servers are responsible for setting up, modifying, charging and tear down of
the calls. NGN may work on soft switch principle. It consists of MGC (Media Gateway
Controller) as an overall controller and MGs(Media Gateway) for termination of traffic.
MGC is basically a server and it is having all the necessary information of network MGC
instructs MGs for establishing the call. Under the control of MGC, MG performs
different call related tasks such as connection, modification and termination of media
streams, packetisation of media etc.

Application Layer
It is responsible for OSS/BSS. Enhanced services to the subscribers will be provided with
the help of application servers. It may include prepaid servers, announcement servers,
Service servers etc. Hence NGN is making service separation from Network. Any service
can be introduced with the help of server at any time without any modifications in the
control, transport or access.

Migration from PSTN to NGN

Migration from PSTN to NGN should be based on maximum possible reuse of existing
equipment and replacement of components which are near the end-of-life.

Migration from PSTN to NGN involves:

Replacement of TDM network elements in a phased manner
Maximum reuse of existing resources
Use of open and mature standards

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Convergence of access and backbone network

Continuation of existing network capabilities and services with same or

comparable QoS and security
Interworking between different types of networks
Addition of new services

It is true that NGN can provide operators, a better solution for their revenue models. But
it is not possible for incumbent to replace their existing network overnight and install
NGN. It will take time to migrate from PSTN to NGN. During that period of time both
the networks will coexist. Operators have to follow some strategies to implement NGN in
their network. Different phases for migration of PSTN to NGN are given below.
However, the sequence of implementation depends on the business and strategic needs of
a service provider. Different phases can be combined for implementation.

Phase I : Migration of TAX :

In first phase of implementation operators can replace their transit network with
softswitch architecture. Operators can make use of the SoftSswitch architecture for the
National Long Distance calls.
At present Local Exchanges (LE) are connected with TAX for Long Distance Calls in
turn TAX is connected with PSTN backbone which is carrying the traffic originated by
subscribers of Local Exchanges. The setup of TAX and PSTN take care of signaling as
well as voice media originated from LE subscribers.

Voice

Signalling

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Fig: Current Setup of PSTN

In first phase of migration as discussed TAXs can be replaced by NGN components. This
can be named as IPTAX in general. For that Local Exchanges have to be connected to
Trunk Media Gateways for transportation of Media and will be connected to Signalling
Gateway for signaling transport.

Here:
Normal analog or ISDN subscriber dials the called party number
PSTN creates CCS#7 Signalling and sends it towards Signalling Gateway.
Signalling Gateway converts CCS#7 messages to compatible SIGTRAN messages
and sends it towards Media Gateway Controller or SoftSwitch.
After receiving signaling from SG, MGC instruct concerned originating and
terminating media gateways to prepare connection for the desired call and at the
same time through Signalling Gateway of destination PSTN side MGC / SS inform
the destination PSTN exchange about the call. When all the condition for the call is
met, MGC instruct concerned originating and terminating media gateways for
finally maturing the two communications. Both the MGs convert received TDM
voice to packets using Real Time Protocol and vice versa. All the communication
between MGC and MG is in H.248 protocol.
The disconnection of the call is informed by the concerned SG to MGC/SS and then
MGC/SS instructs both the MGs to disconnect the RTP link.

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Soft switch

SIGTRAN
SIGTRAN
SG
SG
CCS7 CCS7
H.248
IP/MPLS Backbone
H.248

TDM
TDM
RTP

LE TMG TMG LE

Voice

Signalling

Phase I Migration to NGN using TAX replacement

Phase II: Migration of Local Exchanges

In this phase Local Exchanges (LEs) are replaced by the Softswitch and Access
Gateways (AGW) with same services. Softswitch with local features will be used as a
common control element for class 5 applications. Access Gateways (AG) provide various
types of access to the subscribers (e.g. PSTN, ISDN, V5.2, xDSL etc.) and connects them
to IP core network. AGs may be configured for various class 5 applications depending on
end user topology, density, service requirements, etc. Depending upon the size of the
network, a single softswitch with class 4 and class 5 applications may be planned.

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Fig: Phase II: Migration of Local Exchanges

Phase III Migration of Services

While migrating from PSTN to NGN, all PSTN services with same equipment, same look
and feel should be provided. Two PSTN networks connected via NGN transit network
should be able to provide transparency to all bearer services. The existing IN services are
provided though SCP. The softswitch interacts with SCP through Signalling Gateways,
using Intelligent Network Application Protocol (INAP). In future, new IN and value-
added services may be implemented using Application Servers (AS) which will be
accessed by softswitch via Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

During the migration process new applications may be developed. These new
applications along with existing IN services (including prepaid and number portability)
will be given by Application Servers in near future.

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It is possible to have complete migration to NGN where end to end traffic will be IP and
this migration may use another alternative approach which is known as IP Multimedia
Subsystems (IMS).

This process of migration depends upon many factors one of the factor is Availability of
efficient IP backbone network. Operators have to build a redundant and bandwidth
efficient IP backbone network for NGN. Because all kinds of traffic including voice, data
and video is going to be transported using IP network, it should be ensured that IP
network is available for all the time and it can provide QoS based on applications used by
subscribers.

Conclusion:
It is understood that in near future operators will migrate to complete IP communication.
But it is to be ensured that during this migration should be smooth. At present there
should not be any hurry to implement NGN immediately. Operators first work out for
building reliable IP backbone and then process of migration can be started.

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Chapter 10. NGN Architecture & IPTAX

Sample Self study Objective type questions

1. Existing circuit switched network migration to NGN has following problems,

a. slow to develop new features and capabilities
b. expensive upgrade and operating costs
c. proprietary vendor troubles
d. all the above.

2. The Next Generation Network is

a. non-packet based network
b. service related functions are independent of underlying transport related
technologies
c. does not support generalized mobility
d. specified interfaces compliant.

3. European Telecommunication Standardization Institute (ETSI) defines the NGN as

a. offers operators manage innovative services using open interfaces
b. formal union of different layers into one layer
c. based on switching platform
d. based on ATM technology

4. In NGN the call control functionalities are related by a component which is called
a. call server
b. soft-switch
c. media gateway controller
d. all the above.

5. In NGN the switching and transport of the packets in NGN, backbone used is
a. ATM network
b. PSTN network
c. IP / MPLS network
d. Mobile network

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6. The characteristics of NGN has following fundamental aspects, (i) Separation of

control functions, (ii) decoupling of service provision from transport, (iii) Provision of
open interfaces, and (iv) broadband capabilities with end to end QoS and transparency.
a. Both (i) and (ii) are correct
b. Only (iv) is correct.
c. (i), (ii) and (iii) only are correct.
d. none of the above is correct.

7. The protocols used in NGN between soft-switch and media gateway are
(i) H.248 , (ii) Megaco, (iii) MGCP, (iv) BICC, (v) Sigtrans, (vi) RTCP
a. (i), (ii) and (iii) only
b. (i), (ii) and (vI) only
c. (v) and (vi) only
d. (iv) and (v) only

8. The connectivity of IP TAX to IP/MPLS network is via nearest

a. PE router of the NIB-II network
b. CE router
c. Tier-I switch
d. BBRAS

9. The protocol RTP / RTCP is used

a. between soft-switch and media gateway for actual packet transfer
b. between two media gateways for actual packet transfer
c. between soft-switch and signalling gateway for actual packet transfer
d. between soft-switch and application server for actual packet transfer

10. In NGN, the functions of which element involve

(i) noise encoding and compression, (ii) packetization of voice channels, (iii) comfort
noise generation, and (iv) voice activity detection.
a. Application Server
b. Signalling Gateway
c. Soft Switch
d. Trunk Media Gateway

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